Hilary Devey has hit out at comparisons between her new show 'The Intern' and 'The Apprentice', saying her programme is nothing like the Lord Alan Sugar-fronted series because it has "a heart"

Hilary Devey says her new show is nothing like 'The Apprentice' because it has "a heart".

The businesswoman - who quit BBC Two investment programme 'Dragons' Den' to host her own show, 'The Intern' for Channel 4 - hit out at comparisons between her new programme and the Lord Alan Sugar-fronted BBC show, saying she can guarantee contestants a "dream job" every week.

She said: "It's got a heart, and me, kicking the candidates and tearing a strip off them when they need it.

"Every week there's a winner who walks away with a dream job."

Hilary also slammed some of the entrepreneurs on 'Dragons' Den' for changing their mind about working with the Dragons after starring on the TV show.

She explained: "What you're not told is that when the programme is broadcast other investors often make offers and the entrepreneurs back out.

"So the poor Dragons have spent all this money during the period of 'due diligence' for nothing."

Interior design guru Kelly Hoppen has taken Hilary's place on 'Dragons' Den', and the brunette star says all she knows about her replacement is her love of taupe, which she "hates".

She added to the Radio Times magazine: "I don't know very much about her other than that she likes taupe. I hate taupe. I'm quite flamboyant and over-the-top in my interior design."

Internet entrepreneur Piers Linney has also joined the panel - which features Duncan Bannatyne and Peter Jones - for the 11th series of the show after replacing Theo Paphitis.